The Oceanlinx Mk1 full scale prototype was fitted out and first deployed in 2005. The approximately 500 tonne device used a parabolic wall to concentrate the wave energy into its 100 square metre Oscillating Water Chamber (OWC). The device made use of a Denniss-Auld turbine. The Mk1 Full Scale prototype was one of the first full scale wave energy devices in the world. Its operation between 2005 and 2009 has provided invaluable test and operational data guiding the development of subsequent designs.

Location:

The device was located at Port Kembla, approximately 100km south of Sydney, Australia.

Process Status:

Tests completed. Turbine testing was certified by Llyods Register. After being officially decommissioned in 2009, the structure remained in the water. While plans to remove the device were in progress, Oceanlinx was bankrupted in April 2014. As of 2016, the rusty device still remains in the water, while the government makes plans to remove the structure.

Licensing Information:

As the device was located below the high water mark, the licensing for the device fell outside the jurisdiction of the local and state authorities. It was determined that authorisation of the project was required from NSW Fisheries, Maritime Authority of NSW and Department of Lands. A license for the area was granted by the State Department of Lands. This has rolled over from 2004 to 2011 to cover deployment of M2 and Mk3PC.

Key Environmental Issues:

There were no adverse environmental effects witnessed during operation.

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Oceanlinx MK1 is located in Australia.

Post-Installation Monitoring: Oceanlinx MK1

Receptor

Monitoring Program Description

Design and Methods

Results

Status

Physical Environment

Water and sediment quality

N/A

Was not affected by the installation of the device.

N/A

Physical Environment

Coastal processes (sediment fluxes, waves and tidal currents)

N/A

No perceptible effect as the site is a low energy environment (10kW/m) and the device is positioned in front of the breakwater.

N/A

Physical Environment

Onshore physical environment

N/A

Onshore physical environment consists of several breakwaters surrounding a large industrial site.

N/A

Biological Environment

Impact on designated sites

N/A

No designated sites in the area.

N/A

Biological Environment

Marine ecology

N/A

Low fish and fauna count on seabed, increasing amongst blocks that form breakwater.

N/A

Biological Environment

Fish

N/A

Low fish and fauna count on seabed, increasing amongst blocks that form breakwater.

N/A

Biological Environment

Electromagnetic fields

N/A

N/A

N/A

Biological Environment

Marine mammals

N/A

Low fish and fauna count on seabed, increasing amongst blocks that form breakwater.

N/A

Biological Environment

Onshore and intertidal ecology

N/A

The site is on the edge of a large industrial port, N/A.

N/A

Biological Environment

Birds

N/A

The site is on the edge of a large industrial port, N/A.

N/A

Human Environment

Landscape and seascape

N/A

The site is on the edge of a large industrial port, N/A.

N/A

Human Environment

Archaeology and cultural heritage

N/A

It was determined that there was no effect on archaeology and cultural heritage.

N/A

Human Environment

Socio-economics

N/A

As a test platform this was N/A.

N/A

Human Environment

Noise

N/A

Acoustic tests determined that there were low noise levels with no predominant tone. Positioned in front of a large industrial port with a Coal hopper in the background, so the device was located in an existing high acoustic industrial environment.

N/A

Human Environment

Commercial fisheries

N/A

No commercial fishing in the area, some coastal angling from the adjacent breakwater.

N/A

Human Environment

Navigation: detailed navigation risk assessment

N/A

The device sits on the seabed very close to the breakwater and in relatively shallow water, it was deemed that there would be no risk to local navigation.